“Thomas Jefferson, Our Third President”

Award-winning author and historian Don Hickey will deliver an illustrated lecture on Jefferson at the Betty Strong Encounter Center at 2:00 PM on October 27, 2024.  Admission is free with a reception to follow.

Thomas Jefferson, a Renaissance man with broad interests and a powerful intellect, was known as the apostle of freedom because he wrote the Declaration of Independence, was co-founder (with James Madison) of the Democratic party and promoted “an empire for liberty” with the Louisiana purchase.  But he also supported slavery, led the campaign to dispossess the Indians in the Old Northwest, and favored the ruthless use of government power in support of the disastrous 15-month embargo that marred his second term as president.  This illustrated presentation will examine the highlights of Jefferson’s life and service and seek to reach a balanced assessment of his record as an American statesman.

Hickey holds a PhD from the University of Illinois and is a specialist in early American history and American military history. He is best known for his books, The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict (University of Illinois Press) and Nebraska Moments: Glimpses of Nebraska’s Past (University of Nebraska Press). His latest book, Tecumseh’s War: The Epic Conflict for the Heart of America, (Westholme Publishing) was published in 2023.